Two Legacy-GoHealth Urgent Care locations became centers for asymptomatic coronavirus testing earlier this month, offering quick-turnaround tests with results available in 15 minutes.
But with testing resources limited, not just anyone can get a test.
“Due to shortages in testing supplies, COVID-19 diagnostic testing is prioritized for patients with COVID-19 symptoms and high-risk individuals,” said Natalie Younger, a Legacy-GoHealth Urgent Care communications team member. “However, we wanted to offer limited testing to asymptomatic patients who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 as well, subject to our constraints on testing supplies.”
The tests are available to any patients without symptoms who believes they have been exposed to COVID-19.
Legacy was unable to provide a number of tests available “due to supply shifts,” Younger said.
“Legacy-GoHealth Urgent Care is currently scheduling as many patients as we can depending on availability of the Rapid COVID-19 Test,” she said, and said the best way to find up-to-date availability is to visit gohealthuc.com/northwest.
To find out if you qualify for a test, you will first need to receive an evaluation from a healthcare provider -- walk-in patients will not be seen.
Sherwood and Raleigh Hills Legacy-GoHealth Urgent Care centers have transformed to offer only asymptomatic COVID-19 testing, Younger said, adding that the company has plans to expand testing to other Portland areas and Vancouver when testing supplies increase.
The Oregon Health Authority suggests that providers limit asymptomatic testing to people who have been possibly exposed and certain high-risk groups.
“The guidance doesn’t prevent testing anyone,” Kate Yeiser, a spokesperson for Multnomah County said Monday.
Yeiser said Multnomah County “strongly supports expanded access to community testing” for people who don’t have insurance or a primary care provider or who may not be able to pay for testing, as well as for people of color and Black, Indigenous communities and people who speak a language other than English at home.
“For people who know they have had close and prolonged contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19, getting tested can be an important way to slow the spread of the virus,” Yeiser said. “If they test positive, their close contacts can then stay away from others.”
But, she added, a negative test isn’t always enough to clear a person from quarantine.
“The most important thing for individuals and clinicians to remember is that someone with a significant exposure to the virus who tests negative must still stay home for 14 days since their last contact,” Yeiser said.
Legacy is using Abbott ID NOW Rapid COVID-19 test. The test takes a swab from a patient’s nose and returns results in 15 minutes.
And make sure to check with your insurance provider before getting a test. OHA warns that “COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic individuals may not be covered by insurance.”
-- Lizzy Acker
503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker
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